Sale of lost painting could give big boost to Pittsburgh Public Schools' art program

Henri Le Sidaner's 'Interior' found hanging inside office

UPDATED 6:26 PM EST Jan 18, 2013

PITTSBURGH -

At first it just seemed like a nice little painting of a doorway bathed in gentle light, destined to hang on a school administrator's wall.

But then art experts realized it was a painting by French impressionist Henri Le Sidaner that's been missing for 80 years.

Pittsburgh Public Schools are now considering selling the painting at auction, because it may be worth $500,000. It's titled "Interior" and measures 40 by 32 inches.

Angela Abadilla, senior program officer for arts education, said the painting is estimated to be worth $400,000 to $600,000, but "we are hoping it's going to fetch much more."

The Friends of Art -- a Pittsburgh nonprofit that acquires art and donates it to the school district to inspire students -- bought the painting after it was displayed in the 1933 Carnegie International art exhibition.

“We didn't realize that (Le Sidaner’s) family didn't know its location. So, for 80 years, it's been with us and missing from the art world, as far as being a part of his collection,” said Abadilla.

Officials don't know how it was overlooked for so long but said a sale could provide significant help to the district's art education program.

"Our district is not at a point right now where we have a lot of extra funding to restore and repair and maintain the artwork we presently have in our schools," said Abadilla. “So, if we can do that by selling the piece, I think that would be priceless. Yes, there would be a price for the artwork, but it would be priceless in what it could do for our arts program.”

A major reason the administration is willing to part with "Interior" is because Le Sidaner is French and most of the artists in the collection are from the Pittsburgh region. Officials also said the valuable painting would not be safe to display in a school.

The school board will vote on the recommendation to sell on Jan. 23.

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